Dry runs inside help (4)
I believe the answer is:
arid
'dry' is the definition.
('arid' can be similar in meaning to 'dry')
'runs inside help' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'inside' indicates putting letters inside.
'help' becomes 'aid' ('aid' can be a synonym of 'help').
'r' put into 'aid' is 'ARID'.
(Other definitions for arid that I've seen before include "Desiccated" , "Very dry, having little rain" , "Parched, waterless" , "(Of climate) dry" , "Dry, devoid of interest" .)